THACKLEY residents are upset that a bridle path in a "beautiful place to live" has been blocked off without consultation.


But Persimmon Homes, which is building over 200 homes at the new Cote Farm development , say a contractor needs to carry out Yorkshire Water works to service homes on the new development.
“They’ve dug a big trench right through the middle of the bridle path,” said Thackley resident Gary Riley, who lives on nearby Cote Farm. “They started digging it up on Monday.
“It’s an absolute disgrace,” said Mr Riley. “There has been no warning or consultation and it’s going to be blocked for at least a month.
“The bridle path has been blocked off to the detriment of everybody in the community,” he said. “It is well used by cyclists, horse riders, children, and dog walkers."
Another Cote Farm resident Richard East has contacted Bradford Council’s rights of way department about the works being carried out, which involve installing polytunnel piping along Crooked Lane.
The works could require a temporary closure and permit to be carried out.
Mr East spoke about the path's importance to the people of Thackley.
"It's a right of way that means a lot to everybody - schoolchildren, dog walkers and horse riders.
"This is a beautiful place to live and this path gives people an opportunity to enjoy the local area."
A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We are aware of this issue and will be visiting the site to make an assessment and speak to the contractors. 
“If any breaches are discovered we will take appropriate action.”
A spokesman for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire added: “Although this mains installation is to service our development, all works are being conducted for Yorkshire Water by a third party contractor.
“It is their responsibility to ensure the correct closure licenses are in place.”
Persimmon Homes’ plans for 220 homes on Cote Farm in Thackley date back to 2013, and met with a huge amount of opposition in the area.
The objections led to the outline scheme being refused by Bradford Council in 2014.
But the developers appealed, and in 2015 a government planning inspector overturned the council’s decision, saying the need for housing land in Bradford was “severe and immediate.”
Since the outline plans were approved by the government inspector, Persimmon Homes reduced the number of houses it aims to build at the site to 207.

* To view a video of Thackley residents talking about the bridle path closure, click on this link: